Lilypad Expands Operations in Saugatuck!

See Locations

Lilypad in the news

Announcing Lilypad’s 2024 Michigan Solar Boat Rental Locations

Lilypad’s 2024 Michigan Solar Boat Rental Locations

Lilypad’s 2024 Michigan Solar Boat Rental Locations

Step aboard the future of eco-friendly adventures with Lilypad’s Michigan solar boat rentals! Lilypad solar boats provide a boating experience unlike any other — they’re powered only by the sun! With nothing to plug in, and nothing to fill-up, Lilypad is an affordable and sustainable way to spend time on Michigan’s pristine fresh water. Lilypad solar boats are designed, engineered, and manufactured in the epicenter of the Blue Economy and EV technology: Pure Michigan!

Following our inaugural solar boat rental season on the shores of Lake Leelanau near Traverse City in 2023, we are excited to announce the expansion of our rental services to four NEW Michigan solar boat rental locations for the 2024 Spring and Summer season: Elk Rapids Marina; Traverse City's Boardman River; the Kalamazoo River in Saugatuck/Douglas; and South Haven's Gull Lake Marine.

Book your serene Lilypad solar boat experience and embark on a journey like never before!
Designed to bring people together on the water, Lilypad solar boats are quiet, comfortable, and pro-social. Modeled after your favorite outdoor café, Lilypad is appointed with all the details to make your time on the water relaxed—including soft sofa-like lounges and a coffee table with plenty of room for drinks and snacks. Say goodbye to noise and fumes and enjoy a social experience with a Lilypad Michigan solar boat rental this Summer!

What makes a Lilypad Michigan solar boat rental unique?

  • Lilypads are 100% carbon-free and pollution-free, designed with sustainability in mind.
  • They are built with aluminum hulls as aluminum is recyclable—in fact, 40% of a Lilypad hull is made from recycled aluminum.
  • Lilypad uses 100% remanufactured automotive LFP batteries for energy storage. What is the end-of-life in one industry, is the start of a new—and can we say, more enjoyable—2nd life in a Lilypad.
  • Powered by the latest ultra-efficient solar panel technology, Lilypad can quietly cruise anywhere you want, even on cloudy days!

Lilypad’s 2024 Michigan Solar Boat Rental Locations

Saugatuck/Douglas, Michigan Solar Boats

Utilizing 100% solar power only, Lilypad offers an approachable alternative boating experience designed to bring people together on the water while requiring little to no boating expertise. You can enjoy the Lilypad experience from the Red Dock in Saugatuck/Douglas. Enjoy time on the Kalamazoo River with family and friends with your Lilypad Michigan solar boat rental.

Ask any Saugatuck local, and they’ll tell you where to find us at Red Rock—the epicenter of FUN in the area! Once you’re aboard a Lilypad, travel east and you’ll enjoy nature and the serenity of the Kalamazoo River and Wade’s Bayou. If you head north from the dock, you’ll “see and be seen” in one of Michigan’s most popular tourist attractions!

Safe Harbor at Red Dock
219 N Union St. Douglas, MI 49406
Reserve in Saugatuck/Douglas Now

Elk Rapids, Michigan Solar Boats

Designed and manufactured in Michigan, Lilypad solar boats make access to water simple, sustainable, and pollution free. The Lilypad experience is available at the Elk Rapids Marina on Elk Lake for the 2024 season. Enjoy a Pure Michigan water trail from your café table on Elk Lake’s waters with family and friends, launching from the docks of the Elk Rapids Marina in northern Michigan.

Start your trip with a visit to the DAM Shop for some tasty food and beverages. Then, feel free to enjoy your meal in the quiet comfort of a Lilypad solar boat as you experience the beautiful waters of Elk Lake.

Elk Rapids Marina on Elk Lake
118 Bridge St. Elk Rapids, MI 49629
(231) 264-9500
Reserve in Elk Rapids Now

Traverse City, Michigan Solar Boats

Lilypad solar boats are designed to share. With room for six, Lilypad is unlike any other boating experience. Together, you can cruise the waterway of Traverse City’s Boardman River at a leisurely pace, and share discoveries along the way.

In 2024, the Lilypad experience is available just off of Front Street in downtown Traverse City, across the street from Little Fleet, and your solar boat rental will be available via our partners from the Elk Rapids Marina. Imagine getting oysters, burgers or your favorite food and drinks from food trucks at Little Fleet, and carrying them across the street for the ultimate date night or family adventure on a Lilypad!

See downtown Traverse City from the vantage point of the Boardman River as you cruise past downtown landmarks to a water-side view of Clinch Park. Weather permitting, the majestic beauty of the West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay may beckon.

Enjoy your floating café solar boat rental in northern Michigan, right through the heart of downtown Traverse City via the Boardman River, by making your reservations today.

441 E Front St. Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 296-9500
Reserve in Traverse City Now

South Haven, Michigan Solar Boats

For the 2024 boating season, Lilypad solar boat rentals are available in South Haven. Modeled after your favorite outdoor café, Lilypad is appointed with all the details to make your time on the water relaxed—including soft sofa-like lounges and a coffee table with plenty of room for drinks and snacks.

Experience Pure Michigan and the charm of South Haven on the Black River aboard a Lilypad solar boat. Silently pass through the harbor of South Haven and view one of Michigan’s most vibrant resort and historical maritime centers from the tranquility of a Lilypad. As you continue your journey eastward, you will quickly become enveloped in the tranquil ambiance of the Black River and its quiet natural setting.

Your Michigan solar boat rental will be available via our partners from Gull Lake Marine. Enjoy your Lilypad solar boat experience on the Black River in South Haven, by making your reservation via phone or online.

234 Black River St. South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-3655
Reserve in South Haven Now

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Lilypad was designed for the 1 st time or novice boater. Our simple to use controller allows for intuitive point and steer directional control. We are also able to move in any direction (full 360 degrees), forward, backward, and sideways to allow for extreme mobility in tight clearance. This helps take the stress out of docking.

Lilypads are optimized for slow boating, ease of operation, and social connections. We designed Lilypad as a “Café Table on Water.” Our top speed is 5 MPH.

You may bring your own alcohol, coolers, food, etc. All State of Michigan laws relating to the consumption of alcohol on boats apply.

Lilypad has an excellent integrated Bluetooth audio system you can enjoy at no charge during your ride. You can simply pair your mobile device and enjoy the tunes. We can help set you up at the dock.

Lilypad is pet friendly; the Lilypad ownership team has a literal Dr. Doolittle Farm of pets. However, Lilypad is small, so keep that in mind and please be considerate and bring a towel to protect our seats. Also, you will be responsible for cleaning any mess or damage that may occur.

Yes, Lilypad is a nice stable platform with wide access for fishing.

Yes, we have life jackets in all sizes, from infants to adults. Lilypads are fully equipped with all the required safety gear. We will review all of this with you at the dock.

Learn More About Lilypad Michigan Solar Boat Rentals

Follow along our Michigan-based Lilypad solar boat rental journey on social media:
Discover more about the Michigan solar boat manufacturer, Lilypad Labs Inc, in these articles.
Sign up to receive Lilypad updates.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Send us a Note: info@lilypad-labs.com
©2025 Lilypad Labs